Hunting

Cattaraugus County is one of the top outdoor locations in the region for all your hunting needs. The lush and thick landscapes of the Enchanted Mountains gives opportunity for some of the largest bucks in the area.

Each year, Cattaraugus ranks in the top three counties for harvesting of deer and turkeys.

Not a hunter? Try fishing in Cattaraugus County. Cattaraugus Creek, which runs directly through the county, is rated as one of the top 10 places for fishing steelhead, according to InFisherman magazine.

Hunting Supplies and Equipment

There's plenty of places to find any hunting supply you could possibly be looking for. Check out the listings in our Enchanted Mountains Travel Guide or on our website to find the best outlet near you.

Hunting in Allegany State Park

Crossbow hunting is allowed in Allegany State Park in accordance with the Department of Environmental Conservation's regulations as of October 1. All hunters must obtain an Allegany State Park hunting permit at the Park Police station located in the Administration Building in the Red House area. The Allegany State Park hunting permit outlines additional restrictions for hunting in Allegany State Park such as: no bear hunting, and prohibiting the discharge of any firearm (including crosbows) within 200 yards (600 feet) of any highway, building or man-made structure. For a complete list of the state DEC rules and regulations, visit www.DEC.NY.GOV. The Allegany State Park Hunting Permit can be found at NYSParks.com on the Allegany State Park page by clicking on the Hunting tab.

Cattaraugus Creek has been listed in the top 10 sites for Steelhead Fishing (rainbow trout fishing) by 2 outdoor magazines. Steelhead Trout AKA Rainbow trout are very similar to Salmon in both taste and habits. Unlike other areas of the United States, our native Rainbow trout (Steelhead Trout) spend a majority of time in Lake Erie a freshwater lake and spawn in the Cattaraugus Creek and other tributaries.

Lake Erie's tributary streams, both big and small, receive an annual run of migratory rainbow trout called "steelhead." From October through April, thousands of steelhead ascend New York's Lake Erie tributaries on their mission to spawn. Excellent fishing opportunities await any angler who wishes to try their hand at steelhead fishing. Between the acrobatic leaps, long drag-screaming runs and rod quaking head shakes, the fight of an early run steelhead is a truly exhilarating experience.